Northumberland

Lore & Background

Northumberland's name is recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as norð hẏmbra land, meaning 'the land north of the Humber.' The region has long been an English frontier zone, bordered to the north by Scotland. In the Roman era, most of the present county lay north of Hadrian's Wall, and the area was contested between England and Scotland into the Early Modern era. This led to the construction of many castles, peel towers, and bastle houses, as well as the early modern fortifications at Berwick-upon-Tweed. Northumberland has more castles than any other county in England, including prominent ones at Alnwick, Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh, Newcastle, and Warkworth.

Present-day Northumberland formed the core of the Anglian kingdom of Bernicia from about 547, later united with Deira to form the kingdom of Northumbria in the 7th century. Northumberland is often called the 'cradle of Christianity' in England because Christianity flourished on Lindisfarne after King Oswald of Northumbria invited monks from Iona. The monastery at Lindisfarne was the centre of production of the Lindisfarne Gospels (around 700) and became the home of St Cuthbert. The Kingdom of Northumbria fragmented after Viking invasion, and the region later saw revolts such as the Rising of the North (1569–1570) against Elizabeth I, often led by the Percy family.

During the Industrial Revolution, Northumberland had significant coal mining, shipbuilding, and armaments industries. Many coal mines operated until the widespread closures in the 1970s and 1980s. The county remains largely rural and is the least densely populated county in England, with considerable growth in tourism in recent years.

Reader's Guide

Northumberland's significance lies in its role as a contested border zone between England and Scotland, which shaped its history, architecture, and culture. The county contains more castles than any other in England, reflecting centuries of conflict and defence. It is also a key site in the history of Christianity in England, with Lindisfarne serving as a centre of Celtic Christianity and the production of the Lindisfarne Gospels. The region's industrial past, particularly coal mining and shipbuilding, contributed to the Industrial Revolution, and the need to transport coal led to the development of the first railways. Today, Northumberland is valued for its scenic beauty, including Northumberland National Park and two national landscapes: the Northumberland Coast and part of the North Pennines. Its low population density and rural character make it a distinctive part of England, attracting tourists to both its natural landscapes and historical sites. The county's legacy includes its role in the formation of the kingdom of Northumbria, its border fortifications, and its contribution to early railway development.

Did You Know?

• Nearly 2,000-year-old Roman boxing gloves were uncovered at Vindolanda in 2017, similar in style to modern boxing gloves and dating back to 120 AD.
• Northumberland has more castles than any other county in England, including Alnwick, Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh, Newcastle, and Warkworth.
• The name Northumberland means 'the land north of the Humber,' recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
• The county contains the source of the River North Tyne and much of the South Tyne, which combine near Hexham to form the River Tyne.